In what were essentially foregone conclusions for both franchises, Zetterberg was introduced at an afternoon press conference and Giroux through an evening news release.

Zetterberg replaces Nicklas Lidstrom, one of the greatest players in the history of the game and the first European to captain a Cup-winning team. Lidstrom, in turn, replaced Steve Yzerman, on the game's universal shortlist of best leaders. Only those two have held the position since 1986, and the team has won four Cups in that stretch.

So, no pressure.

“Just playing with Nick for my whole career here, just to see how he prepares himself, how he handled himself on and off the ice, and just lead by example and that’s what he did,” Zetterberg said Tuesday at the announcement, according the Red Wings' website. “I played with many good leaders since I got here and not just Stevie and Nick. There was (Kris) Draper, (Chris) Chelios, there are so many guys that I played with that you learn from. So you try to take bits and pieces from all the guys that you play with and they really formed the player who I am now.”

Mike Babcock has coached all of those guys, so the similarities aren't lost on him.

“I guess the things that jump to mind for me is fierce, fierce competitors,” he said. “(They’re) great, great people and guys who put the team first and can speak for the team and treat their teammates right. So those are three things that I would say right off the top of my head.”

Zetterberg, 32, won the Conn Smythe in 2008 after scoring a career-high 43 goals, though his offensive production has tailed off in the years since. In 2011-12, he had 67 points.

Giroux, meanwhile, takes over for Chris Pronger, whose career is likely over because of post-concussion syndrome. Pronger missed most of last season and remains on long-term injured reserve, but his retirement is little more than a formality at this point. He, in turn, replaced Mike Richards, who was traded to the LA Kings in the summer of 2011.

Giroux, an MVP candidate who turned 25 earlier this month, is the 19th captain in Flyers history. Because of his age, the Flyers' history of turnover in the spot and Pronger's status, he's in a bit of a different situation than Zetterberg.

"It’s not going to change my game or the way I act on the ice or off the ice," Giroux said Tuesday afternoon at training camp according to CSNPhilly.com. "We have a lot of leaders in this locker room, and a lot of veterans."

"Every day he practices and plays games like he wants to make a difference," head coach Peter Laviolette said in a team release. After watching him grow for three-plus years, it’s now time for Claude to become the captain of this team.”

GM Paul Holmgren called him "the undisputed leader of this team.”

The announcements leave only the Florida Panthers, Columbus Blue Jackets and New Jersey Devils without a captain. Florida's last captain was Bryan McCabe in 2011. Columbus and New Jersey lost Rick Nash (trade with the Rangers) and Zach Parise (free agency, Wild), respectively, in the offseason.